Category: Pediatric Dentist and Your Family

Want Green Teeth and Purple Lips?

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Just Ignore these 6 Healthy Tips

In the Know for You to Know

You can have all the gum or candy you want! For 15 minutes once a month! Have braces? That’s 0 minutes a month!

Brush your teeth in the morning and at night. Be sure to brush for 2 minutes or 120 seconds or 120000 milliseconds. It takes that long to get all the stuff out. And don’t forget to floss every night before you brush. How many minutes, seconds, milliseconds do you think that takes?

If water is good for a shark’s teeth, think what it can do for yours? Choose water when you can. Sharks don’t drink soda or sports drinks, so why should you?

If you don’t want to eat a puck (or a ball) use a mouth guard when you play sports.

If it’s sticky, it gets stucky and that’s so yucky! Stay away from fruity snack rolls, caramels and all chewy, sticky candy. Otherwise that’s the fast track to a cavity.

Two healthy snacks a day keep the fillings away! Limit snacking to twice a day and drink water to wash it down.

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!

7 of our Favorite Books to read before your Pediatric Dentist appointment

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In the Know for You to Know

Our favorite books to read before your visit. By the way, parents and children LOVE them too!

Baby teeth are important and so are dental check-ups. These pearly whites help your child chew their food, speak, grow, and eventually guide their adult teeth into their correct positions.

20 Baby Teeth guiding all those Adult Teeth into position they must be super important

Keeping baby teeth healthy helps you keep your child healthy not just now but also for when they are the adults. Starting early, or as early as possible is the key to starting on this path.

So snuggle up, choose a good book (or two or three) and start on your dental journey.

The Tooth Book by Dr. Seuss A hilarious book about all things teeth.

The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist by Jan and Stan Berenstain Mama, Papa, Brother and Sister set out for their trip to the Dentist and learn about all the ways a Dentist helps keep teeth healthy.

Curious George Visits the Dentist by H.A. Rey Read about how George’s first visit to the Dentist is fun and a learning experience all in one.

Dentist Trip (Peppa Pig) by Scholastic George is going to the Dentist for his very first visit and Peppa is coming along to show him how much fun this will be.

Off We Go to the Dentist by Avril Webster Great book for helping children adjust to new experiences and potential sensory issues (bright lights, sounds, textures). Gently introduces what to expect at your visit for toddlers, children with special health care needs, and children for whom English is their second language.

Dora Goes to the Dentist by Randy Roper Dora describes her trip to the Dentist and involves the reader by asking you to look for things and do certain things (like opening your mouth wide). Just the right amount of detail.

Sesame Street Ready, Set, Brush! A pop-up book Elmo, Zoe, and their friends show how much fun dental visits and taking care of your teeth at home can be.

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!

Top 6 Tips to know about Your Pediatric Dentist for Your Family

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In the Know for You to Know

Tip 5 How do Pediatric Dentist’s feel about Parents in the treatment room?

WE LOVE PARENTS!

We want you to feel totally comfortable whether you want to be in or out of the room. A little in, a little out, one foot in, one foot out, listening behind the wall, sitting on the chair. The choice is yours. Why? You know your child best

The Choice is Yours

Want to stay in the room? Here’s some tips:

Knowing you are there will automatically allow your child to feel comfortable. Standing slightly out of site and not letting facial expressions (above the mask) be seen decreases the possibility that a worried look will upset your child. Even the youngest children are very attuned to their parent’s facial cues.

Be a silent observer. This allows your Pediatric Dentist to build rapport and provide positive coaching for your child.

If your child needs reassurance you can sit on the chair and hold their hand or have your toddler sit on your lap.

If you decide not to come in your Pediatric Dentist will talk with you afterwards. It’s always our goal to keep you informed about your child’s oral health and development. Plus we want to tell you what an awesome helper they are!

Tip 6 Do Pediatric Dentists have recommendations about what to say about an upcoming appointment?

Yes we do because this is so helpful for setting the tone for your child’s visit.

It’s always best to keep it light and positive.

You may want to start talking about your upcoming appointment the day before or a few days before your visit. You may want to start your own tradition with a personal tooth brushing song, or read books and watch movies. Maybe you’ll start family brushing time to show your Pediatric Dentist what a great job you do.

FYI – stay tuned for my upcoming post on Top Books to read with your Child before visiting your Pediatric Dentist.

You and your Pediatric Dentist are on the same team and together will establish positive expectations and experiences for your child.

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!

Top 6 tips to know about Your Pediatric Dentist for Your Family

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In the Know for You to Know

Tip 3 So what is a Pediatric Dentist’s specific style?

Great question! 

One of our primary approaches is Tell-Show-Do.  This is the way we introduce everything dental at each appointment.  

Now you’re asking, how do you do this?  You guessed it, we explain (tell) what we are going to do in appropriate words for your child’s age and level of understanding.  We introduce (show) your child to what we are going to do for them in a simplified manner with some demonstrations and naming some instruments with funny names (looking glass, tooth counter, mr. thirsty, straw, and there are more).  Then we begin (do) the appointment.  

There is also Positive Reinforcement, where we praise and reward children for behaviors that help them accomplish their dental care in a happy way.

Sometimes if necessary, we use Distraction.  This involves choosing words extra extra carefully while placing a child’s attention on conversation, movies, music, or video games; at the same time encouraging, engaging and supporting the child to have a positive experience.

Tip 4 What is the benefit of these concepts?

In a word, Empowerment.

Empowerment for the short term, as it is introducing what is new and unknown in a kind, respectful, fun, age appropriate way with the desire to create and build on positive experiences, allowing children to build trust and feel comfortable with the office and their Pediatric Dentist.  

Empowerment for the long term, because it is creating a life time of regular happy, stress free oral health care appointments.

Stay Tuned for Tip 5

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!

Top 6 tips to know about Your Pediatric Dentist for Your Family

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In the Know for You to Know

Tip 1 You’re wondering, why take my child to a Pediatric Dentist?  Isn’t my Dentist okay and it’s one less trip?

Maybe it is or maybe it isn’t.

Did you know that Pediatric Dentists are the Pediatricians of Dentistry. As Pediatric Dentists we have two to three years of specialty training following dental school and limit our practice to treating children only. 

That’s right, from your child’s first tooth to College graduation. We’re there with you from their first tooth, for every new tooth, every tooth bump and every tumble.

We are both primary and specialty oral health care providers for ALL infants and children through adolescence and young adulthood.

For children, adolescents, young adults, and adults with special health needs we are your go to Dentist. Our goal for you is to receive care while also providing insights for what you are experiencing, will experience over the coming months, make suggestions and plans for your home routine while enhancing dental care.

Our Commitment to Your Family

We do what we do for your child because we CARE

Tip 2 Now you’re asking yourself, if we go, what is a Pediatric Dentist’s approach for children?

I’m glad you asked.  We strive every day and in every way to exceed your expectations because you are entrusting us with the care of your child.  

We do this by providing the highest quality state of the art personalized oral health care for your child in a compassionate, family friendly, relaxing environment where your comfort is our top priority.

Everything is specifically for children.  Our offices are transformed into magical kid friendly places (adjusted for COVID).  We know the cutting edge techniques, have the latest and greatest materials, and the best stuff. 

We understand “child’s time,” and give every child all the time he or she needs to build a long lasting relationship on mutual trust, respect, and confidence.

You and your Pediatric Dentist are on the same team with the joint goal to set up positive expectations and experiences for your child no matter their age.

Stay tuned for Tip 3

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!

Top Summer Questions for Healthy Teeth

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In the Know for You to Know

4 Top Questions

Summer is here and it’s time for lazy days and fun foods. Fun also means a balanced diet and keeping up with good habits, so those eagerly awaited goodies taste extra special.

Daddy and daughter eating ice cream and laughing on a beautiful summer day

How do I keep a routine for my children?

Put together a traveling dental kit.  This way if schedule changes disrupt your good habits you can start up where you left off.  Remember, during your travels that bottles and sippy cups are good for comforting your child, however falling asleep with one in their mouth increases cavity risk.

How do I keep my child’s diet healthy for their teeth?

Special foods are fun when eaten along with a healthy and balanced diet of fresh fruit, veggies, whole grains, water, and plain milk.

What about sticky gooey treats?

Gooey, sticky and chewy are fun to eat, not so much to remove from teeth.  When you indulge choose treats that are super smooth and slide off the teeth like smooth velvety dark chocolate.

What’s the most important thing for me to do? 

Establish consistent daily routines that can be done in a fun way. Do something fun while brushing to keep your child’s attention long enough for you to brush all their teeth. Brush and floss together and have a brush-a-thon to your child’s favorite tunes. Use a sticker chart and remember to be on the look out for their fun flavor toothpaste or a toothbrush with their favorite character.

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!

Taking your child to their Pediatric Dentist in the World of COVID-It’s as Important as Ever

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In the Know for You to Know

As a Pediatric Dentist I’m here to help you with your child’s health and want you to know that safety is always our top priority.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic obviously you are looking at their well-being differently, you have new expectations, and have questions when resuming their dental visits. While many things have changed, what has remained the same is our commitment to your family’s health and safety.

health and safety always come first

Infection control – we’ve got this. We are the experts.

What’s the difference between pre-COVID and now you’re asking? Now our infection control processes are amped up.

Infection control guidelines are established by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the regulations of these agencies so we are up-to-date on any new rulings and guidance that may be issued.

You will see changes when it is time for your child’s next visit. These changes are made to help protect everyone.

we are infection control experts

What You Can Expect

  • Creating positive experiences has always been and still is as important as ever.
  • Your Pediatric Dentist’s office will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. You’ll be asked those same questions again when you are in the office. 
  • You may be asked to stay in your car and either text or call the office number upon your arrival before entering the office. 
  • You will notice the extra personal protective equipment (PPE) being worn,  plexiglas at the reception desk and new products and equipment in the office.
  • The office will have hand sanitizer that they will ask you to use when you enter the office. You will also find some in the reception area and other places around the office for you to use as needed.
  • The office is still magical, just a little different. The waiting room will no longer offer magazines, children’s toys and games since these items are difficult to clean and disinfect.
  • Appointments will be scheduled to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment.
  • Your Doctor is allowing greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you, as well as to allow for enhanced sterilizing and disinfecting procedures.
  • Most important, be sure to tell your child that even though the office, your pediatric dentist and the staff look a bit different, we are still the same people as before.

Pediatric Dentists appreciate and understand you have concerns about resuming health care. If you have any questions at all about your child’s appointment needs, please call or e-mail them to discuss your concerns. 

communication, trust, positive experiences

As Pediatric Dentists we value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming you and your child back.

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!